A Shopper’s Haven

Dubai is called the shopping capital of the Middle East.

It is famous for its open air markets called souks. The souks stock just about everything from woollens and textiles to fragrant wood and even the latest digital equipment. However, carpets, textiles, perfumes, gold and spices are the speciality of these markets.

Every year, Dubai hosts the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), a mega shopping extravaganza that attracts people from all over the world. The month-long festival was launched in 1966 to boost retail trade. Over time, it has evolved into a major tourist attraction. During the festival, hotel chains, restaurants and boutiques offer fabulous discounts to tourists. Other entertainment events held during the festival include firework displays, laser shows, fashion shows, music concerts, raffles and contests.

The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world. The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre located inside the mall holds the Guinness Record for the World’s Largest Acrylic Panel. The viewing panel is 32.88m wide, 8.3m high and 750 mm thick.